Kemal’s face flushed with a mix of shame and fury. As a marquis of the blood clan, he was equivalent to a level sixteen human expert, far surpassing Qian Ye in cultivation. Now, Qian Ye had taken a significant lead on the path of conscience, his whereabouts unknown, while Kemal began to show signs of fatigue. Just as Elder Wei had said, whether in willpower or physical training, Kemal was far inferior to Qian Ye.
As his thoughts grew chaotic, Kemal felt the weight of the box on his back becoming unbearably heavy, like a mountain pressing down on him. His breath faltered, and one of his feet suddenly sank into the ground, nearly causing him to fall.
Carrol suddenly retreated, appearing beside Kemal, and took the box from him, holding it with one hand. “Let me carry it,” she said.
Kemal, feeling both ashamed and grateful, bowed and said, “Thank you, Lady Carrol, for your assistance.”
Elder Wei shook his head and remarked, “A guy who relies solely on bloodline power is of little use even if he’s saved. He won’t make it to the end anyway.”
Carrol responded, “He is still one of our key players from the Neutral Zone, and I am also a person of the Neutral Zone. I cannot just leave him to die. Besides, since Qian Ye is so cunning, having another helper would be an added insurance.”
Elder Wei did not argue further, simply saying, “If he were to fall, I would take over. But since you want to help him, I won’t interfere.”
“Your help isn’t needed either,” Carrol retorted.
Kemal’s expression was a mix of light and shadow, following behind the two, his gaze occasionally sharp as a knife when directed at Elder Wei, who seemed completely oblivious.
At this point, Qian Ye was leading the group by about two laps, but the peak was still shrouded in mist, its depth unknown, and the mountain path remained the same, winding upward. If not for Elder Wei and the others following behind, Qian Ye would have doubted whether he was in an illusion, where the peak could never be reached.
Reaching here, Qian Ye no longer felt at ease. His blood core throbbed strongly, and his entire body burned with blood, faint golden flames rising around him. This was already close to the limit of his body; any additional pressure would start depleting his dark gold blood energy. Once that happened, Qian Ye would not be far from collapsing.
At this juncture, Qian Ye had no choice but to slow down to reduce his energy consumption. Behind him, Carrol and Elder Wei continued at a steady pace, gradually closing the gap.
In a short while, Carrol and Elder Wei also stood before the stone tablet. Seeing the text on the tablet, Carrol did not feel much, but when she saw the signature, she gasped, “The Polar King!! It’s actually the Polar King!”
As she read the tablet, Elder Wei observed her. Seeing her calm expression, he shook his head and sighed, “Unfortunately, it seems the connection is not there.”
Carrol, filled with astonishment, asked, “What connection?”
Elder Wei replied, “When the Polar King wrote this inscription, he was filled with loneliness and sorrow, all of which are embodied in these lines. If one can gain insight, the rewards will be plentiful. However, this is a matter of fate, not something that can be forced.”
Carrol was taken aback, “You mean it’s possible like that?”
Elder Wei said, “The Polar King’s power is unmatched, so what is this? Just a casual work, meant to guide those who are destined. Speaking of which, which of our human kings does not possess endless means? How can they be compared to the eternal night’s creatures, who do nothing but eat and sleep?”
Though Elder Wei’s words were arrogant, Kemal, being a blood clan, was not convinced. However, after some thought, he realized Elder Wei was right. In terms of bloodline power and natural talent, the four dark races each had their strengths, any one of them stronger than humans. Yet, human kings on the battlefield possessed numerous skills, their combat power rivaling that of the great lords of the eternal night, a fact widely acknowledged.
In truth, powerful figures like Wu Zu and Tai Zu, who dominated their era, could suppress any great lord of their time. Even those transcendent beings on the Holy Mountain might be slightly inferior in front of them.
Under Elder Wei’s formidable presence, Kemal dared not contradict. Hearing that he might gain benefits from the tablet, he became eager. Those benefits were from the Polar King, and he, a mere marquis of the blood clan with a relatively new bloodline, could hardly compare. If they met, the Polar King could crush him with a single finger. Without waiting for Elder Wei’s prompt, Kemal stood before the tablet, scrutinizing every inch, fearing he might miss the smallest crack.
But no matter how hard he looked, he could not see anything, and felt only the cold wind and the chill on the high mountain.
Elder Wei gave him a mocking look but did not stop him. Carrol, not willing to give up, stared intently at the inscription.
Finally, Elder Wei coughed and said, “Such insights cannot be forced. If there is no understanding at first, it is likely to remain so.”
Carrol, being a divine general with a strong will, though reluctant, forced herself to look away from the tablet and continue climbing. Kemal, still not giving up, lingered for a moment, until Carrol and Elder Wei were about to disappear around the bend. Realizing this, he hurriedly followed.
Running under the intense pressure, his blood energy depleted rapidly, and by the time he caught up, his face was pale, and his breath was uneven. This dash cost him at least one lap.
Elder Wei ignored him, treating Kemal as if he did not exist, and continued forward. Carrol, carrying the heavy cargo, walked steadily, showcasing her formidable strength.
Soon, they had climbed several more laps around the peak, and Carrol was only one lap behind Qian Ye. Occasionally, they could see each other at the turns, but the unique mountain structure made it impossible to attack. Carrol, not willing to give up, repeatedly tried to strike with her lightning whip. However, after expending vast amounts of energy, she failed to harm Qian Ye.
After repeated failures, she hesitated to waste more energy in this strange place. If she couldn’t reach the peak, it would be a grave mistake. The situation was clear: both sides had to reach the summit to truly confront each other. Any action mid-way was futile.
Carrol was not worried about reaching the top, as long as she avoided foolish mistakes. With Elder Wei’s support, she could make it. Her only concern was that Qian Ye might not last.
Failing to reach the top meant likely dying halfway, with survival only possible once the peak was reached. In Carrol’s mind, if Qian Ye died en route, it would be too easy for him.
Seeing that Carrol could not affect him, Qian Ye regained his composure and continued climbing at his own pace, steady and firm. Though his speed was slightly slower than Carrol’s, the difference was minimal, and after three more laps, they were only half a lap apart.
By now, the peak’s pressure was almost unbearable, even for Kemal, who staggered like an old man, taking minutes to move a step. He lagged behind, unable to keep up, sustained only by a desperate will to survive. At this rate, he could only last a few more laps.
Qian Ye glanced back, pausing briefly on Kemal before looking at Carrol and Elder Wei. His gaze towards Carrol was indifferent. They had never interacted, and he had no special feelings. If Carrol sought revenge for her brother, they would simply fight.
Elder Wei, however, was different. He came from the military, leading elite forces, and though Qian Ye did not know his relationship with Li Fengshui, Elder Wei was clearly as strong, if not stronger, and held a higher status.
Now, to survive, Qian Ye had to eliminate Elder Wei, not to mention the deep grudge against the military.
Qian Ye gave Elder Wei a deep look and continued climbing, slightly increasing his speed to match Elder Wei’s.
Elder Wei, despite his cunning, raised an eyebrow, a gleam in his eyes. He quickened his pace, only to realize that he had unconsciously synchronized with Qian Ye. Had he subconsciously regarded Qian Ye as a major threat?
Realizing this, Elder Wei resumed his original pace, calm and composed. Carrol, slightly surprised, asked, “Won’t we never catch up to that kid?”
“The pressure will increase, not stay the same. Besides, with our cultivation, do you think we can’t outlast a young man?”
Elder Wei’s logic was sound, and Carrol did not insist, maintaining the same speed. Keeping Qian Ye in sight also put pressure on him. If the distance remained, once at the peak, Carrol could shatter Qian Ye with a single strike of her lightning whip.
Yet, after another full lap, Qian Ye’s speed remained unchanged, as if Carrol and Elder Wei did not exist. Even Carrol, in admiration, realized that Qian Ye’s will was formidable. She had the advantage only due to her superior cultivation.
Suddenly, a thought struck Carrol, and she turned to ask, “Do you think Qian Ye gained some insight from the Polar King’s tablet?”
Elder Wei fell silent, rare for him, and after a moment, he said, “It’s highly likely.”
Carrol gasped, her gaze towards Qian Ye becoming complex. Gaining insight from the Polar King’s inscription was an astonishing talent. Even Carrol, with her high self-regard, would have to concede.
After another lap, the mist thinned, revealing the peak’s outline. Seeing the finish line, both Qian Ye and Carrol were invigorated, while Elder Wei’s face darkened, occasionally glancing at Qian Ye.
The peak, seemingly close, required many more laps. After another round, the clouds and mist cleared, revealing a clear sky above.
But with the clear sky, the earth dragon’s pressure surged, and gray tendrils rained down, turning the pressure into a tangible force.
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